Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Politics As Usual Is Killing Us


"I hope he fails".

This is what Rush Limbaugh said about President Obama. WHAT? He hopes our new president fails? If President Obama fails, our whole country fails. Doesn't that sound like treason to you? It does to me. How can this man stay on the air? Why does anyone listen to him? Why does anyone take him seriously? Yet, I have been reading that his influence is growing. And it's not just Rush Limbaugh. There are radio personalities all over the country who spout the same kind of poisonous nonsense. And there are people who agree with him, including I am afraid, some in Congress.

We are unquestionably in a crisis that is predicted to only get worse. People are suffering, losing jobs, losing homes, losing businesses. The majority of Americans see what is happening. The majority of Americans voted for change. During the last eight years we had a Republican president and a Republican majority in Congress. A surplus became a record-breaking deficit under their watch. Now we have a new president and a new majority in Congress. We are counting on them to lead us out of this crisis. But what is happening in Washington? Politics as usual is happening.

Is bipartisanship a fool's dream? Apparently it is. Republicans in Congress appear to be united in opposition to anything President Obama proposes. I am so tired of seeing them endlessly spouting the same tired party line. As President Obama says, what credibility do these Republican leaders have when it comes to fiscal responsibility? Look what happened under their watch. An unprecedented deficit. A multi-billion dollar "TARP" with no accountability regarding what happened to the money (our money, taxpayers' money!). I can't help but feel that these Republican leaders are being disingenuous. They opposed Obama's election, so now they are going to oppose everything he does. They claim to be acting on principle, but I'm afraid they are acting more out of their own political interests than out of concern for solving our problems.

I know there will be many who disagree with me. I understand that there are two sides to every story. But this is what I see, and I will be very happy if they prove me wrong.

5 comments:

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Isn't it appalling?
Gahh.
The same thing has been happening with our *Republican* governor in California. Because he has been bipartisan and even *gasp* effective, so his own party has been stonewalling his plans and behaving like like spoiled, rotten brats.
You said it best: Politics as usual is killing us.

Jenn Jilks said...

I agree with you Judy, even from this side of the border. Politics, politicians, and political behaviour, will not change. All of us had high hopes that the crisis will propel and impel them.

It is the same with shareholders: "What's in it for me?"

Even if the opposition agrees with initiatives, they cannot appear to agree. No one sits down and asks what is best for a country as a collective and as representatives of the entire electorate.

Until we realize we all have to contract to help those who need it we will not rise above this problem.

Susan said...

Can you say bigot, racist, sexist, homophobic, ignorant ... scary, frightening, shocking oh ! oh ! don't get me started. Sounds to me Judy like you're in desperated need of a little Jon Stewart or Steven Colbert.

Watch both anytime here (I think)
http://shows.ctv.ca/video/
scroll down to comedy network - click "all shows" click either Stephen or Jon and preferably both), laugh, laugh, laugh and laugh some more.

judy in ky said...

Thanks for the comments, guys... it's good to know I'm not alone feeling this way.
Susan, you are right. Laughing at it is the only way to retain our sanity. From now on, I'm visiting Stephen and Jon on a regular basis.

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Amen Judy. It's awful. We really do need change!
Becky